Missing Driveway?

Elk Toss Entertainment

Following the Elk Toss, we have arranged for another year of music at the Old Forge Brewing Company on Mill Street. The schedule currently includes Wales and the Brothers McMonagle, and more could be added. More details will come in the future.

2018 Elk Toss, Winter Festival, and Charity Auction Information

The 75th Annual Danville German Society Elk Toss, Winter Festival, and Charity Auction will be held at the Wagner Farm in Danville on February 17th, 2018.

The general schedule of events can be found here. We will try to stick to a 4pm start time for the Elk Toss, although other event times could vary depending on weather, attendance, driveway conditions, etc.

This year's events will benefit the following local organizations:

The Gate House, Danville

Community Cafe at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church, State College

Hayden's House of Healing

We request again that you to bring cans and other non-perishable food items to donate to the
Danville-Riverside Food Bank. We also request that you bring laundry detergent to donate to the Good Samaritan Mission in Danville.
 

Please bring items to donate to this year's auction, and make sure you bring money to buy stuff in the auction. Please bring auction items that you think that someone would actually want.  Please do not use our auction as a way to take out your trash.

Feel free to dress up in your best German or Pennsylvania Dutch outfit. This is not a requirement, but be prepared to be ridiculed if you don't look German. 

The Danville German Society recommends anyone who has enjoyed fermented and/or distilled beverages to book a room at the Pine Barn Inn (800-627-2276 or 570-275-2071). Information about other hotels (not within walking distance of downtown Danville) can be found here.

For more about Elk Tossing, click here.

Kannst Du Deitsch Schwetza?

The DGS Officers are closely watching this developing story that we first heard about in an article from the Daily Item (October 24, 2017):

Germanic-speaking residents force Montour to adopt language plan

• Karen Blackledge
• Oct 24, 2017

DANVILLE — Montour County has more than 5 percent, or 1,000, residents who are considered to "speak English less than well," requiring it to adopt a language access plan, according to SEDA-COG.
The plan is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development because the county receives federal block grant funds, Glenda Ruch, of SEDA-COG, told the commissioners Tuesday.
According to the latest U.S. Census, 1,000 county residents — 5.4 percent of the population — speak the Germanic language in Anthony Township, she said.
If the county proposed a project that would directly impact them, it would have to take measures to make sure there were resources available to them, Ruch said, such as the possibility of needing an interpreter. "The county would decide what measures to put in place," she said.
She said SEDA-COG expects to have the language access plan completed by the end of this week.
Ruch said she knows the Germanic speaking people in Anthony Township do speak English well, but the statistics came from the American Community Survey, or the census, which triggered the language access plan.

Breaking News

News Alert from the Wagner Farm:

"Elk toss is cancelled for Feb 17 due to power outage in Danville area last night. High winds. Check back for possible change."

2018 Elk Toss Date

The 75th Annual Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at the Wagner Farm in Danville. Now is the time to get your Lederhosen oiled and ready.

Outhouse Roof Repairs Part 3

Outhouse Roof Repairs

Outhouse Roof Update

The roof of the Franz Klingermann Memorial Outhouse blew off recently. The attached video shows the damage and includes a plea for help.



After watching the heart-wrenching video, we hope that you are moved to donate to the reconstruction efforts. Please visit our GoFundMe page for more information.

New Event?

Will the 2018 Elk Toss also feature Goat Yoga? The craze has already come to Luzerne County, and it is forecast to infiltrate Montour County later this year.

Outhouse Update

News from the Wagner Farm:

"The outhouse roof is repaired! It is my suggestion that we DO host the 2018 Elk Toss at the Wagner farm. I used 18 gauge metal sheet roofing with a 20 degree pitch South by North. I attached 2 sheets with 6 roofing screws (self driving) into a white pine beam on the north end. The south end is not anchored to code as my ladder could not reach. Instead, I used 10 gauge steel wire to tie the south end down to the white pine structure. In other news, the driveway was ruined by rain the other night, we may need to cancel the elk toss."

Today in Elk News

From America's Finest News Source, an important story about elk.

Outhouse News

Strong thunderstorms on May 1, 2017, resulted in the roof being blown off the Franz Klingermann Memorial Outhouse. The 2018 Elk Toss is now cancelled because of the wind damage. We suggest attending the Bruno Mars concert in New Zealand instead.

Recap Video

2017 Elk Toss Recap Video, including some drone footage, courtesy of Shawn Dodge.





In case you missed it two years ago, Shawn posted a point of view GoPro video of the elk being tossed.

Fundraising Results

The 75th Annual Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival was a success. We tied our fundraising record from last year, and we soon will be donating a total of $3000 to the following organizations:

$1500: The Gate House, Danville

$600: Mount Nittany Conservancy, Centre County  

$500: Hazleton Integration Project, Hazleton

$300: Power Packs Project, Lancaster County

$100: HOPE Fund of Penns Valley

We also collected about two shopping carts worth of non-perishable food for the Danville-Riverside Food Bank. Laundry detergent was also collected for the Good Samaritan Mission in Danville.

Since 2002, the DGS has donated a total of $30,839.

Thanks to everyone who attended and donated.

 

Happy Fastnacht Day!

Like good Pennsylvania Dutch people, we hope you all enjoyed a tasty fastnacht this morning. If you didn't, it is not too late.

Opening Ceremonies Photo

Courtesy of Eric Frantz...

Elk Toss Report Card

Courtesy of Van...

Report Card for Germans at the 75th Elk Toss

Generosity: A+

Enthusiasm: A+

Respect shown for the Elk: A+

Can and Bottle disposal: B-

Turf / Grass Respect shown by drivers: A+ (there are no ruts this year!)

Cigarette Butt Disposal: C+ (please dispose of butts in the metal can outside of the main barn door, or switch to vaping, or quit both. The butts kill our chickens and ducks and children and once a small Italian boy who wandered onto the property)

Keeping muddy Kids out of the house: A+

Not touching the orange hose: A+

Preventing your children from chasing Kevin the Peacock and the ducks: B+

Donations for Food Bank: A+

Donations for laundry detergent: A+

Taking auction items home that you won but then realized you did not want: C- (please take stuff home next year)

Respect shown to the judges by people named Shawn Dodge after being called for fouling in elk toss: WP (Withdrew Passing)

All Time Elk Toss Records

The Top Ten Longest Elk Tosses

1. 2015 - Colby Longenecker - 59'5"
2. 2008 - Dave McGovern - 58'6"
3. 2006 - John Zerbe - 57'6"
4. 2012 - Joe Awantang - 57'1"
5. 2017 - TJ Soprano - 57'0"
6. 2012 - Matt Dodge - 56'0"
7. 2012 - Matthew Leitzell - 55'7"
8. 2013 - Franz Klingermann 54'6"
9. 2017 - Jesse Jones - 54'1"
10. 2012 - Todd West - 53'3"

Note that these records are still being verified.

Photos

Feel free to send photos and videos to us or upload them to the evite or post them to our facebook page. We've already received a few, including this shot taken from the driveway.

2017 Elk Toss Results

Here are the results of the Danville German Society's 75th Annual Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival held on February 25, 2017. Let us know in the comments if there are any errors with the names or hometowns.

Information about the fundraising will come soon.

Men's Elk Toss

1st - TJ Soprano, Granite Valley, PA - 57'0"

2nd - Jesse Jones, Philadelphia - 54'1"

3rd - Matt Dodge, Turbotville, PA - 51'0"

4th - Ethan Cree, Glasgow, PA - 49'9"

5th - Rob Walters, Hughesville - 48'9"

Women's Elk Toss

1st - Pam Shellenberger, State College - 33'7"

2nd - Kate Clarke, State College - 28'6"

3rd - Tamara Wagner, Danville - 27'4"

Scooter Competition

Best Ramp Turns - Ethan Robertson

Best Ice Skating/Scooter - Sara Sharp

Best Jumps - Jack Mulligan

XXX Scooter - Calvin Wagner

Smoothest Rider - Adam Lang

Daredevil Award - Phoenix Rowe

Rodeo Star - Willow Rowe

Children's Elk Toss 

1st - Calvin Wagner, Danville - 14211 mm

Hog Toss (12-17 Years Old)

1st - Ethan Weader, Riverside - 13043 mm

Elk Bugling Competition 

1st - Karl Shellenberger, State College

2nd - Franz Klingermann, Danville

Salad Toss

1st - Karl and Pam Shellenberger, State College

2nd - John Zerbe and Ryan Zerbe

Beard Competition 

1st- Jeff Meitrott

2nd (tie) - John Zerbe, Greg Dodge, Karl Shellenberger
Scrap Iron Toss 
1st - Andy Stamey, Danville

Kids Scrap Iron Toss

1st - Luke Wagner, Danville

Explosion

Driveway Weather

Based on our meteorological expertise gained from years of looking out the window, we provide to you the official Elk Toss Forecast* (as of 1700 EST Friday February 24).

A band of heavy rain or thunderstorms will pass through the Wagner Farm during the afternoon followed by a period of lighter rain. Temperatures will decrease from about 63 degrees at noon to about 49 degrees at 6pm.

Because of the expected wet weather and warm temperatures, the driveway will not be snowy or icy, but it will be wet. We request that you drive softly in the grass parking areas to avoid creating ruts in the yard. It probably will be helpful to bring a poncho or other rain gear.

We'll keep an eye on the radar throughout the day and will adjust the schedule accordingly to try to have the outdoor events occur during breaks in the rain or during periods of lighter rain. The rest of the time, we can all stay dry in the barn.

*subject to change

Ducks

Looks like the ducks are getting ready for the Elk Toss.

Elk Toss Preview Article

The Daily Item published a preview article for the 2017 Elk Toss. Check it out here, or just read below.

Elk toss will benefit local organizations this Saturday 

by Karen Blackledge

MOORESBURG — An event to promote and celebrate Pennsylvania German culture — the Elk Toss, Charity Auction and Winter Festival—will be held Saturday.

Activities will start at about 11:30 a.m. on the Van Wagner farm, in the Mooresburg area.

“The Elk Toss has grown into such a positive event for an important cause. The main local beneficiary is the Gate House shelter in Danville. The Gate House serves a very real need for housing for families in transition in our area. The people who attend the elk toss are so generous and supportive of the cause. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of such a great team of loving and caring people,” Wagner said.

According to Karl Shellenberger, Danville German Society president, the toss is in its 75th year. He and Wagner usually refer to the toss as being in its 75th year.

Wagner is also considered to be the society’s president. 

He and Shellenberger, of State College, have been involved with the organization since 1999 and they participated in their first elk toss in 2001.

“The most money raised in a single year was last year when we raised $3,000. Our goal this year is to increase our total from last year,” Shellenberger said.

In addition to the Gate House, other recipients of money raised from a charity auction will be the Mount Nittany Conservancy in Centre County, Hazleton Integration Project and Power Packs Project in Lancaster County.

Events Saturday will include opening ceremonies followed by presenting of the elk to be tossed and maybe a few surprises, Shellenberger said. The elk is usually made of wood and some type of stuffing.

According to the society, early German settlers in Pennsylvania were intrigued by elks.

“Tossing an elk can be thought of as a cross between the caber toss from Scotland and the 35-pound weight throw (the indoor track and field equivalent of the hammer throw),” according to danvillegerman.com.

Events and the auction will start at about noon with an elk bugling competition, a scrap iron toss, a beard competition, a puppet show, a block shoot, a skateboard and scooter competition and more.

Several rounds of the charity auction will be held followed by tossing of the elk at about 4 p.m.

That evening, there will be musical entertainment by Wales and the Brothers McMonagle along with magician Fred Iobst at Old Forge Brewing Co. in Danville.

Shellenberger said the 2001 event was the first attempt at making the festival a fundraiser. “Since that time, we have donated a total of just under $28,000 and that only includes financial donations,” he said.

Since 2004, those attending the festival have contributed nonperishable foods for the Danvile-Riverside Food Bank and typically two full shopping carts each year.

Those attending are asked to bring nonperishable foods this year.

They are also asked to bring laundry detergent to donate to the Good Samaritan Mission in Danville.

Items are sought for the charity auction. Attendees are asked to bring money to buy stuff and bring auction items that somebody would want to buy and not use the auction as a way of taking out their trash.

They can also feel free to dress in their best German or Pennsylvania Dutch outfit.

The society asks that this year be partially BYOB as they were not able to obtain as many donations from local breweries as they have in previous years. People should also bring pot-luck food to share.

More Auction News

Tim Raines was recently elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and he graciously donated an official signed hat to our auction from when he played on the Florida Marlins in 2002 (although we will always fondly remember him as a member of the Montreal Expos). Hat also signed by 2002 Marlins Manager, Jeff Torborg (catcher for Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965).

Weather

The current forecast looks like Saturday could be the warmest Elk Toss ever, but it also could be the wettest due to the forecast for rain and possibly thunderstorms. It might be time to finally order that lederhosen-style swimsuit.

Auction News

The Wagners are donating their official GI Joe USS Flagg Aircraft Carrier to the charity auction. These aircraft carriers have recently been selling for over $1000 on ebay. So, bring your bitcoin, and click on the photo below for a better view.

Old Forge Music

Wales (Van Wagner and Ethan Weader) and the Brothers McMonagle (Joey and Mickel) will be performing at the Old Forge Brewing Company this Saturday. The performance is now listed on the OFBC website, although they are listed as Van Wagner and The McMonagles. Either way, we're excited. Music goes from 8-11 on February 25, and Fred Iobst will be there too.

Tomahawk Toss

New event?

One Week

Yes, it is true... Exactly one week from now, the Elk Toss will be over, and we'll be sitting at the Old Forge Brewing Company listening to Wales in anticipation of the upcoming performance of the Brothers McMonagle. Fred Iobst will be his magical self.

   It's time to get ready. Be prepared.

Weather...

From deep inside the bowels of the Franz Klingermann Memorial Outhouse (yuck!)...

"check out the weather forecast I found for Feb 25!!!!!  It’s going to be such a great day!  Elks will be flying like never before.  I spelled Danville “Miami” when I visited accuweather for this forecast but I’m not sure that matters."

Interweb Review of the Franz Klingermann Memorial Outhouse

From the highly-respected website safetopoopat.com, the review of the Franz Klingermann Memorial Outhouse.

In case the link doesn't work...

This gets a five star rating for being the best outhouse ever. It is sweetheart style with two seats side by side with no divider. If you are alone in the world, you can still benefit by picking the lesser of two evils. To add to the mythos revolving around the legend Franz Klingermann, it's only allowed to be used one day a year - in February during the Danville German Society Festival. Otherwise you're trespooping. Besides the sweetheart seats highlights include topographic map wallpaper, plenty of headroom, and generally pleasant atmosphere (ignoring the usual outhouse gases). Only downsides are lines on the day of the festival and the spy camera.

Driveway Update - February 16

We've put a lot of improvements into the driveway for the 75th Elk Toss. You will find it most passable. Do not be deterred by the gate. Gated communities are all the rage, even here in rural Pennsylvania. We are just keeping up with the neighbors. The code is: klingermann75

Scrapple

In case you were wondering what is in scrapple, Lancaster Online comes to the rescue with this interview with a third-generation scrappler (is that a word?). There's also a website - whatisscrapple.com - that also helps solve the mystery. Yum.

Prepare Yourself

Recycled and revised information from 2016 blog post with a few reminders for people planning to attend the 75th Annual Elk Toss...

1. Bring items to donate to the auction.
2. Bring non-perishable food to donate to the Danville-Riverside Food Bank. 
3. Bring laundry detergent to donate to the Good Samaritan Mission in Danville.
4. Bring Pot-Luck Food to share at the Wagner Farm.
5. Bring cash or checks (or bitcoin?) for the auction and event entry fees.
6. Bring a Drinking Vessel and your own beverages. The DGS was not able to get as many donations from local breweries like previous years, so we are requesting that this year be partially BYOB.
7. Wear Lederhosen or a Dirndl, or wear warm clothes and boots since we will be outside much of the day.
8. Please do not bring your dog to the Elk Toss.
9. Organize a carpool and drive an AWD/4WD vehicle. The Wagner Farm driveway and parking area could be snowy, icy, muddy, wet, hard, soft, rocky, grassy, or meaty. Driveway updates will be provided as necessary.
10. Reserve a room if you want to spend the night in Danville.
11. Prepare to have fun while supporting some great organizations.
12. If you have a trophy from last year, please bring them back with you so that we can present it to this year's winner in that event.
13. Check this blog often for updates on driveway conditions, weather, entertainment, etc.

Entertainment Update

UPDATE: Fred Iobst will also be at OFBC to perform magic.

Elk Toss Training Video

Elk Toss training methods by Van Wagner...



Note that the wood is ash and not oak or maple, but impressive nonetheless.

Elk Toss Promo Video (no dogs permitted)

It's almost here...



Note that dogs are not permitted at the 75th Annual Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival. Thank you for your cooperation.

Executive Order

In only a few weeks, our Glorious Leader, President Donald J. Trump,  has been issuing Executive Orders, bigly. This tremendous order did not get as much media attention as others...

CWS Lancaster

Back in 2012, the DGS donated $500 to Church World Service in Lancaster, an organization that helps refugees who move to Lancaster. An article about the organization was recently published in the New York Times. Update: CWS Lancaster was also recently mentioned in an NPR story.

Since 2002, the DGS has donated a total of almost $28,000 to various organizations in Pennsylvania. If you come to the Elk Toss on February 25, you can be part of the group that hopefully raises that total over $30,000.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Earlier this morning, Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of All Prognosticators, feisty rodent, saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter. Here's a video of the presentation of the whistlepig and the reading of his prediction.

February

It is now February, the shortest month, but also one of the best. Besides the Elk Toss (February 25), here are a few other February highlights this year:

• Groundhog Day (February 2)
• New Orleans Pelicans seasonal mascot (and nightmare demon infant) King Cake Baby
• Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day (February 11)
• Valentine's Day
• Presidents' Day - to remember George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two great, honorable, thoughtful, humble leaders
• Fastnacht Day (February 28 this year)

Elk Links

In our never-ending quest to educate our members about all things elk-related, we offer the following links to increase your knowledge:

• Elk Facts from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• History of Elk in PA from the Pennsylvania Game Commission
• An Elk Garden in Finland 

Just try to toss me. I dare you.

Driveway Update (Updated) -January 31

Driveway Update - January 31

Just a brief update today from the Wagner Farm...

"Driveway is white and not being used since school is on a 24 hour delay."

Mining for Bitcoin

Enjoy...

Germans

Research

In our continuous effort to improve the Elk Toss, we traveled to Old Crow, Yukon Territory, to observe a traditional caribou horn toss. Our product development team believes that this game can be adapted to elk antlers, and it may become an event in the future.

One Month Until Elk Toss!

Today is January 25. The Elk Toss is February 25. Therefore, the Elk Toss, Charity Auction, and Winter Festival is only one month from today.

Until February 25, we will provide you will everything you need to know about the Elk Toss. Most importantly, this means keeping you informed about the conditions of the driveway. Check the blog often for more information.

In case you were wondering, the weather looks good for February 25 according to the super-accurate, super-extended, super-forecast for Danville from Accuweather (It's super!).

Driveway Update - January 23 (plus Tex Duff news)

Outhouse Renovation Project

Driveway Update - January 17

Driveway update directed by Neal Wagner which can be best described as either "the trouble with ice" or "handy tips on how to raise your children tax-free in Bosnia." You decide.

Driveway Update - January 14

Urgent dispatch from the Wagner Farm...

"The persons who did this to our driveway last night; I hope you're happy with yourself!"

Driveway Update - January 11

The Ice Cometh, Man...

2017 Elk Toss, Winter Festival, and Charity Auction Information

The 2017 Danville German Society Elk Toss, Winter Festival, and Charity Auction will be held at the Wagner Farm in Danville on February 25th, 2017.

A printable .pdf containing the schedule and a map is available here and is also available to be downloaded from the links on the right.

This year's events will benefit the following organizations:
The Gate House, Danville
Mount Nittany Conservancy, Centre County  
Hazleton Integration Project, Hazleton
Power Packs Project, Lancaster County

Also, we request again that you to bring cans and other non-perishable food items to donate to the
Danville-Riverside Food Bank. We also request that you bring laundry detergent to donate to the Good Samaritan Mission in Danville.
 

Please bring items to donate to this year's auction, and make sure you bring money to buy stuff in the auction. Please bring auction items that you think that someone would actually want.  Please do not use our auction as a way to take out your trash.

Feel free to dress up in your best German or PA Dutch outfit! This is not a requirement, but
be prepared to be ridiculed if you don't look German. 

The Danville German Society recommends anyone who has enjoyed fermented and/or distilled beverages to book a room at the Pine Barn Inn (800-627-2276 or 570-275-2071). Information about other hotels (not within walking distance of downtown Danville) can be found here.

For more about Elk Tossing, click here.

For information about the Event Rules, click here.

Elk Toss Pep Rally

There will be an Elk Toss Pep Rally with music by Van Wagner on February 19 from 7pm to 9pm at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport (it's a Sunday of course). Forks will be provided.

GoPro Elk Toss Footage

Thanks to Jonathan Zerbe for providing an essential video explanation of the Elk Toss and other DGS activities.